There are two commodities which are in noticeably short supply in our modern world, one is space and the other is time, so inventions which save us either or both are generally much welcomed, especially when they are also more sustainable than existing options. This explains why both boiling water taps and instant boiling water taps have become increasingly popular in today’s homes.
Understanding boiling water taps and instant hot water taps
Basically both boiling water taps and instant boiling water taps are taps which need to be plugged into a source of electricity so that they can also act as water heaters, similarly to kettles. Boiling water taps have a tank (plumbed into the mains), which is kept heated and, as their name suggests, produce boiling water. Instant hot water taps do not have tanks and produce water at a lower temperature, but are great for producing hot water quickly and/or in places where there is no plumbed hot water supply.
The main advantages and disadvantages of boiling water taps and instant hot water taps
Convenience is the single, biggest advantage of both boiling water taps and instant boiling water taps. Essentially, you always get exactly the amount of hot water you want exactly when you want it. Safety is another benefit, especially for boiling water taps as they do not have to be moved about as kettles do. The main disadvantage is that there is a high up front cost (mainly for boiling water taps less so for instant boiling water taps), which will take a long time to recoup through energy savings, plus boiling water taps need to be plumbed in.
For the sake of completeness, we’ll add that boiling water taps may need filters and will need to have their tanks cleaned from time to time, but then the same goes for kettles and instant boiling water dispensers.
As a final point, we’d like to point out that boiling water taps generally have their tanks in a base unit under the sink rather than on the worktop, so they don’t really save space as a whole, but they do leave your worktops clear, which may be a benefit, especially if you’re aiming for the uncluttered minimalist look.
TLDR
Boiling water taps and instant boiling water taps offer massive convenience, but if saving money is your main goal then you’d probably do better to buy an energy-efficient kettle (and only boil what you actually need) or an instant boilingt water dispenser.
Choosing a boiling water tap or an instant hot water tap
Here are the key points to consider when choosing a boiling water tap or an instant hot water tap.
Boiling water or just hot water?
This should almost always be your starting question!
Tank size (and is it included)?
If you’re going for a boiling water tap then you’ll need a tank, it’s always a good idea to check if its included in the purchase price (all our recommended boiling water taps come with tanks).
Water pressure
Both boiling water taps and instant hot water taps will have minimum and maximum supported water pressure. To be honest, if you’re in a house with fairly standard water pressure, you’ll probably be fine but if your water pressure is either particularly high or particularly low, then it’s a good idea to double check and if necessary you can take steps to boost the water pressure (or reduce it).
Installation
These days it’s unusual for manufacturers to install either boiling water taps or instant hot water taps for you, so ease of installation is usually very important (and we checked it for all the recommendations on our list).
Filters
Although this only applies to hard-water areas, that’s a lot of the country! You’ll not only need to check if filters are supported (they usually are), but whether they’re easily available at a reasonable price (we checked this for all our recommendation). It can be convenient if there’s some sort of alert when the filter needs changed.
Safety
This is, of course, of the highest importance for boiling water taps, but it also matters for instant boiling water taps. Think about child-proofing options and whether or not the tap can be used comfortably by left-handed people. Added safety bonuses include insullation and a spout which pours without splashin.
NB: It’s a good idea to get into the habit of running a boiling water tap or an instant boiling water tap on cold for a few moments to empty the spout and “reset” the tap, to avoid any risk of another user being scalded. Some boiling water taps will return hot water to the tank to avoid this, but some do not and instant boiling water taps do not have tanks.
Finer details
These might not be your first considerations but you may still want to think about them.
- Mode of temperature control (e.g. manual or touch pad)
- Speed (some boiling water taps and instant hot water taps are faster than others).
- Function alerts (e.g. a light or sound when the filter needs changed)
- Recovery time (for boiling water taps, how long does it take for the tank to replenish itself)
How About A Hot Water dispenser?
Read Our Best Instant Hot Water Dispensers UK HEREInstant Boiling Water Tap Reviews
These are all instant hot water taps rather than boiling water taps. They do not have tanks, but heat cold water as required.
Quick Jump Into List
Bristan GLL RAPSNK3 C Gallery Rapid Kitchen Sink Tap with 3 in 1 Operation
This boiling water tap comes in two variations, boiling only and boiling plus filtered, so if you do opt for this boiling water tap, make sure that you choose the right version. For the sake of clarity (no pun intended), the filtering is only for the tank and is carbon-based so it deals with chlorine and sediments but is not great for limescale. Basically it’s to protect the tank from clogging up and extend its lifespan. If you do use a filter, it should be changed every 6 months, otherwise it may invalidate the guarantee (2 years for the tank and 5 for the tap).
Regardless of which version you choose, the tank is supplied and has a 2.4L capacity and a very clear LED display to show the temperature. There is a choice of 7 temperature settings going from 75°C to 98°C. You are responsible for installation, which is simple, but if you really don’t feel confident, installation should be a breeze for any plumber.
The boiling water tap itself looks very elegant and has a handy swivel function You have to push a button to get boiling water, which should help to deter children, the tap is insullated, keeping it cool to the touch and the flow is smooth, hence it’s unlikely to splash. Unused hot water is returned to the tank rather than kept in the spout, which improved both economy and safety.
As you have probably guessed by now, the other two functions are standard hot water and cold water, so you can use this instant hot water tap in place of standard taps.
Bristan GLL RAPSNK3 C Gallery Rapid Kitchen Sink Tap with 3 in...
- Keep little hands safe - the Boiling Water can only be operated using a push button and will flow smoothly from the tap - reducing the risk of scalds from any spitting
- The swivel spout will remain cool to the touch when the boiling water is in operation and any residual water will return to the storage tank rather than staying in the spout
- Keep little hands safe - the Boiling Water can only be operated using a push button and will flow smoothly from the tap - reducing the risk of scalds from any spitting
- The swivel spout will remain cool to the touch when the boiling water is in operation and any residual water will return to the storage tank rather than staying in the spout
- There are 7 temperature settings available - Including 98'c for the ideal cup of tea or coffee, sterilising baby bottles, or for blanching vegetables
- Our space saving design means you will still have space in your cupboard for kitchen necessities and you will free up much needed counter space with the removal of your kettle
- The heating tank has a 2. 4 Litre capacity, which means you can comfortably fill pans for cooking or make 6 large cups of tea for guests
- 2 year (tank) and 5 year (tap) Manufacturer's Warranty, with the support of an award winning customer service team, allowing confidence and peace of mind
QETTLE 4-in-1 Instant Boiling Water Tap | True Boiling, Filtered Cold, Mains Hot & Cold
We have to hand it to Qettle, this boiling water tap is the only boiling water tap on our list which dispenses genuinely boiling water, i.e. water at 100°C, all the other “boiling water taps” actually have a maximum temperature of 98°C. To be honest for the most part this is irrelevant, but if it matters to you, then this is the boiling water tap to choose and it also dispenses filtered cold water and unfiltered, regular hot and cold water.
The tank has a capacity of 4L and there’s no LED to show the temperature, because there’s only one temperature setting i.e. 100°C, although there is a filer-replacement LED and if you register your product, the manufacturer will also send you a reminder email, when it is time for a change.
If you have children in the household then this boiling water tap is about as safe as you can get as it comes with a safety clip must be removed before boiling water can be dispensed, then you have to hold down a button on the handle, while turning it (clockwise). This is straightforward for adults but should deter even the most inquisitive children.
QETTLE 4-in-1 Instant Boiling Water Tap | True Boiling, Filtered Cold, Mains...
- TRUE, 100˚C BOILING WATER: QETTLE dispenses water at 100˚C, so you really can make that perfect cuppa! Other systems on Amazon only manage to dispense water up to 98˚C
- 4 LITRE BOILER TANK Provides up to 8 cups of boiling water in one go. Perfect for 5 people homes. Quality, fully insulated, CE approved 4 litre boiler tank fits neatly under your kitchen sink. 10 minute recovery time should you drain the tank. Tank dimensions: 230mm High x 182mm Wide x 354mm Deep
- TRUE, 100˚C BOILING WATER: QETTLE dispenses water at 100˚C, so you really can make that perfect cuppa! Other systems on Amazon only manage to dispense water up to 98˚C
- 4 LITRE BOILER TANK Provides up to 8 cups of boiling water in one go. Perfect for 5 people homes. Quality, fully insulated, CE approved 4 litre boiler tank fits neatly under your kitchen sink. 10 minute recovery time should you drain the tank. Tank dimensions: 230mm High x 182mm Wide x 354mm Deep
- 2-STAGE SAFETY Supplied with a safety clip which makes activating the boiling water impossible. Once removed, the button on handle must then be pressed at the same time as the handle is turned clockwise for boiling water to be dispensed
- COST & ENERGY EFFICIENT No need to wait for the kettle to boil, use more water than you need, or waste energy. On standby, our 4L boiler tank uses 35W. Based on an electricity cost of 28p per kWh, this means the daily running cost of a QETTLE would be just under 24p.
- WATER FILTER SYSTEM INCLUDED: Works to minimise limescale - protecting the tap’s boiler tank | Unlimited flow of filtered cold water | Compact, easy-change filter cartridge housing | Replace the filter cartridge every 6 months - a built in LED lets you know the filter cartridge needs to be replaced.
Da Jia Inc 220V Instant Tankless Electric Hot Water Heater Faucet
This instant hot water tap is made from H59A copper and ABS plastics. It has a high-purity copper liner heating element and supports water pressure of 0.04-0.5 MPA (0.4 to 0.5 BAR). There is an LED display to show temperature and supported hot temperature is between 30°C and 40°C.
Overall, we’d say that in family homes this instant hot water tap is probably better suited to a bathroom than a kitchen, as the spout may be quite small for the sort of volume of water needed in larger kitchens. We would, however, quite happily put it in a kitchenette or smaller kitchen, for example in a studio or starter flat.
TINTON LIFE 220V Instant Tankless Electric Hot Water Heater Faucet Kitchen Instant...
- Material: H59A copper + ABS; The inlet way: Small under inflow; Surface treatment: Multiple plating; Spool: Ceramic spool; Heating tube: High-purity copper liner heating element; 220V/50HZ; 3000W; Working pressure: 0.04-0.5 MPA; Waterproof grade: 1PX4; General diameter; Cord Length: About 1.5 m; Plug type: GN - 901
- Material: H59A copper + ABS; The inlet way: Small under inflow; Surface treatment: Multiple plating; Spool: Ceramic spool; Heating tube: High-purity copper liner heating element; 220V/50HZ; 3000W; Working pressure: 0.04-0.5 MPA; Waterproof grade: 1PX4; General diameter; Cord Length: About 1.5 m; Plug type: GN - 901
- Power unified are the 3000-watt, fast heat! Temperature at about 30 degrees to 40 degrees(approx).
- ABS engineering plastics, high temperature resistant, soft and strong, not easy to burst, high stability. Anti-stamping, UV radiation, the product is not easy to aging and will make even better performance and prolong its lifetime.
- Package with a Socket Converter!
- Warning: DON'T test it in your hands before installing finished, that's would be very dangerous. Please operate it under the user manual.
Electric Hot Water Taps, TopSer KA-06 Pro
This instant hot water tap has a brushed-chrome finish and an ABS plastic core with a Nickel-Chromium multi-core heating system. It supports a maximum water pressure of 6 bar and the supported hot temperature is between 20°C and 50°C. This instant hot water tap has an LED display to show temperature and can swivel 180°. We’d happily put this tap in a kitchen or a bathroom, even in a family home.
Electric Hot Water Taps,Topser KA-06 Pro Adjustable Power Electric Instant Heater Kitchen...
- 1. Stepless Adjustable Power Selection: 0~3.5kW, Variable temperature control between 20 and 60℃, protection from frost. So you can more intuitive and convenient to control the outlet water temperature.
- 1. Stepless Adjustable Power Selection: 0~3.5kW, Variable temperature control between 20 and 60℃, protection from frost. So you can more intuitive and convenient to control the outlet water temperature.
- 2. Multiple security protection: Safety pressure relief device. 3 seconds hot water setting. Built-in double partition wall. Double ground protection
- 3. The tap use the environmentally friendly and high quality insulation material. Electrostatic protection. High temperature resistance. IPX4 Waterproof.
- 4. Nickel-Chromium Multi-Core Heating System: use mechanical Precision Welding Technology,which makes the life of the heating tube longer. Do not worry about WATER LEAKAGE, DRY BURNING, FASTER HEAT DISSIPATION,NOT EASY TO SCALE
- 5. TASTE THE ART OF LIVING: Four Seasons General, unlimited hot water, warm your hands, especially in the winter. When the taste becomes the essence in your life, then you take the frontal line of fashion, appreciating purified and comfortable wash or bath life. Perfect fit for any style of your Kitchen or Bathroom or Washroom, gaining more and more users' favorite
TINTON LIFE 220V Instant Tankless Electric Hot Water Heater Faucet
This instant hot water tap is also made of H59A copper and ABS plastics. It has a copper liner heating element and supports water pressure of 0.04-0.5 MPA (0.4 to 0.5 BAR). There is an LED display to show temperature and supported hot temperature is between 30°C and 40°C.
Quite honestly, this instant hot water tap looks identical to the Da Jia instant hot water tap and also seems to have identical specifications. We therefore strongly suspect that it’s essentially the same instant hot water tap but rebranded and the same comments apply about the narrow spout. The reason we’ve listed both instant hot water taps is they seem to be sold by different companies and therefore may be priced differently, it never hurts to check.
TINTON LIFE 220V Instant Tankless Electric Hot Water Heater Faucet Kitchen Instant...
- Material: H59A copper + ABS; The inlet way: Small lateral inflow; Surface treatment: Multiple plating; Spool: Ceramic spool; Heating tube: High-purity copper liner heating element; 220V/50HZ; 3000W; Working pressure: 0.04-0.5 MPA; Waterproof grade: 1PX4; General diameter; Cord Length: About 1.5 m; Plug type: GN - 901
- Material: H59A copper + ABS; The inlet way: Small lateral inflow; Surface treatment: Multiple plating; Spool: Ceramic spool; Heating tube: High-purity copper liner heating element; 220V/50HZ; 3000W; Working pressure: 0.04-0.5 MPA; Waterproof grade: 1PX4; General diameter; Cord Length: About 1.5 m; Plug type: GN - 901
- Power unified are the 3000-watt, fast heat! Temperature at about 30 degrees to 40 degrees(approx).
- ABS engineering plastics, high temperature resistant, soft and strong, not easy to burst, high stability. Anti-stamping, UV radiation, the product is not easy to aging and will make even better performance and prolong its lifetime.
- Package with a Socket Converter!
- Warning: DON'T test it in your hands before installing finished, that's would be very dangerous. Please operate it under the user manual.
Insinkerator 3573 Instant Hot Water Tap
The Insinkerator 3573 has a couple of downsides which should probably be mentioned up front. First of all, although this boiling water tap has 9 different temperature settings, these are set via a dial and there is no LED, which frankly means that the stages up to boiling are rather a matter of guesswork. Secondly, although the tap is insullated, there are no “child-safety” features and while the flow of water is smooth most of the time, it can splutter a bit when the spout is refilling, which probably won’t bother adults, but, again, is not ideal for children.
It also needs to be made clear that this instant hot water tap only has one function, which means that if you want regular hot and cold water, you’ll need to install at least one additional tap.
If you’re still with us, however, the reason the Insinkerator 3573 made it onto our list is because it is a simple, effective and affordable choice for households without children, even larger ones as the tank has a decent 2.5L capacity. Installation is super simple and there is a 2-year warranty on parts and labour.
Insinkerator 3573 Instant Hot Water Tap | Includes H1100C Chrome Tap, Tank...
Best instant hot water tap
Overall, we’d have to say that the TopSer is, objectively, the best instant hot water tap, purely because of its hand swivel and its broader spout. The De Jia and the Tinton frankly look absolutely identical in every way, so basically, see who gives you the best deal on price.
Boiling water tap review
These are all true boiling water taps, i.e. they all come with tanks which keep water (nearly) boiling, ready for use whenever required.
TINTON LIFE 220V Instant Tankless Electric Hot Water Heater Faucet Kitchen Instant...
- Material: H59A copper + ABS; The inlet way: Big under inflow; Surface treatment: Multiple plating; Spool: Ceramic spool; Heating tube: High-purity copper liner heating element; 220V/50HZ; 3000W; Working pressure: 0.04-0.5 MPA; Waterproof grade: 1PX4; General diameter; Cord Length: About 1.5 m; Plug type: GN - 901
- Material: H59A copper + ABS; The inlet way: Big under inflow; Surface treatment: Multiple plating; Spool: Ceramic spool; Heating tube: High-purity copper liner heating element; 220V/50HZ; 3000W; Working pressure: 0.04-0.5 MPA; Waterproof grade: 1PX4; General diameter; Cord Length: About 1.5 m; Plug type: GN - 901
- Power unified are the 3000-watt, fast heat! Temperature at about 30 degrees to 40 degrees(approx).
- ABS engineering plastics, high temperature resistant, soft and strong, not easy to burst, high stability. Anti-stamping, UV radiation, the product is not easy to aging and will make even better performance and prolong its lifetime.
- Package with a Socket Converter!
- Warning: DON'T test it in your hands before installing finished, that's would be very dangerous. Please operate it under the user manual.
Best boiling water tap
In our opinion, the Qettle is the best boiling water tap if safety is your primary concern, the Bristan is the best boiling water tap for all-round utility and the Insinkerator boiling water tap is the best boiling water tap if you’re just looking for a simple but cost-effective solution.
Read Our Best Instant Hot Water Dispensers UK HEREThe Best Sellers On Amazon
Previously writing for Which magazine, Carly is an extremely well-experienced home product tester. Always the busiest in the office. Mother of two and serving a life sentence of marriage, Carly is our ‘robustness’ tester and works closely with Katie for the product road testing. Loves the freedom of her work, Netflix and terrible, terrible jokes
I was looking at the instant taps for space but also because I don’t use much hot water. I don’t understand if these taps can be used as hot and cold, by not having the electric on? If not it means a separate cold tap and therefore two water connections through the worktop /sink as far as I can see.